Plate spacing fixture for electrostatic air cleaners

ABSTRACT

A fixture is disclosed having a frame containing a plurality of combs grouped into sets within the frame. Each of the comb sets is adjustable laterally so as to accommodate a variety of different length, relatively thin plates. Such plates find application in electronic air filter cells. The plates are inserted between the fingers of the combs. At least one individual comb is movable with respect to a stationary comb in the comb set. The plates are held securely and spaced properly for later processing by shifting the movable comb so as to lock the plates between the movable and stationary comb in each comb set.

[ 51 Sept. 17, 1974 United States Patent [191 Wightman 2,741,842 4/1956Shapin 30/212 3,711,948 l/l973 Ford et a1. 30/212 3,778,970 12/1973Swimmer et 55/138 X PLATE SPACING FIXTURE FOR ELECTROSTATIC AIR CLEANERS[75] Inventor: Lawrance W. Wightman, St. Louis,

[73] Assignee: Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-Craig R. Feinberg Attorney,Agent, or FirmPolster and Polster Jan. 26, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A fixtureis disclosed having a frame containing a plu- 21 Appl. No.: 327,083

rality of combs grouped into sets within the frame. Each of the combsets is adjustable laterally so as to accommodate a variety of differentlength, relatively ble comb so as to lock the plates between the movableand stationary comb in each comb set.

thin plates. Such plates find application in electronic air filtercells. The plates are inserted between the fingers of the combs. Atleast one individual comb is movable with respect to a stationary combin the comb set. The plates are held securely and spaced properly forlater processing by shifting the mova 23 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures S752 XX 38 CM333H 23 432 6 I c m D9 3 O6 334.i 32 2 4 6 m m 433 S mm 3m113 T "n 3 3y4 N b E 7 w T I 3 4 wA I n /C/ t. "a 9 9 G u" 6 2 n" 0 5 S2 S 4 e o 1 H 15 CT "3.1. "A w mT an 2 .mSLE E53 2& Haw m m NHH 0 53 nagtw mm 0 1 1 1 10 18 6 34 55 5 37 [.1 1.

PHI-2min!" mm 3 saw 1 or 4 gmmin sen mu mamas SHEEI 2 BF 4 m 9. J m3 mm3.. J

PLATE SPACING FIXTURE FOR ELECTROSTATIC AIR CLEANERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to equipment useful in themanufacturing of cell assemblies and in particular to a spacing andclamping fixture for the manufacture of electronic air filter cells.While the invention is described in detail with respect to suchelectronic air filter cells, those skilled in the art will recognize thewide applicability of my invention to other cell assemblies and uses.

Methods and apparatus for the construction of electronic air filtercells are well known in the art. Conventionally, an electronic airfilter cell has a plurality of spaced parallel plates attachedalternately to at least one of two metal tubes. The plates generally arerectangular in plan and have at least one relatively large and one smalldiameter opening punched at each end of the substantially rectangularplate. By rotating sequential plates one hundred and eighty degrees, apassage through a series of plates is provided along each end of theplate series comprising sequential large and small diameter openings.The tubes, which function as electrical conductors, are inserted throughthe passage and freely pass the small diameter openings in the plates.Thereafter, the metal tubes are expanded by any convenient means. Afterexpansion, the tubes engage alternate plates along the small diameteropenings. Expansion conventionally is all that is required to form theintegral structure of plates and tubes. It is possible to chargealternate plates to opposite polarities by applying a voltage across thetubes. Application of these opposite polarity plates is well known inthe art of electronic air filters. Commonly, air is the only insulationbetween the oppositely charged plates. Proper operation of the cellrequires that the plates remain parallel to and sufficiently spaced fromone another to prevent electrical interaction between the plates.

Because of their relatively simple construction, there long has been adesire to automate electronic air filter construction. Automation ofcell construction enables the original manufacturer to increase outputand lower unit cost. A variety of apparatus and methods for manufacturehave been devised for this automated construction. One particularlyadvantageous method is disclosed in the copending Wightman, et al US.application, Ser. No. 327,081 filed Jan. 26, 1973. It is desirable, inautomated cell construction, to provide a fixture for receiving andholding the plates as those plates are manufactured. Assuming, forexample, that a conventional punch press is used to fabricate theplates, means must be provided to receive the plates as they come fromthe punch press. It also is desirable to provide a single fixture bothfor receiving the plates from the punch press and for the severalconstructional steps following plate manufacture. The prior art exhibitsa number of fixtures useful in electronic air filter cell construction.An example of prior art fixtures is shown and described in the US. Pat.to Aitkenhead, No. 3,581,470, issued June 1, 1971. While these fixtureswork well for their intended purposes, they have proved inadequate in anumber of important features. At best, prior art fixtures generally arenot designed to permit use of a single fixture with a variety of cellplate sizes. Nor are the fixtures designed to automatically lock theplates in position for the succeeding operations necessary in cellconstruction. Nor are the fixtures designed to receive pairs of platesin abutting relationship.

My invention eliminates deficiencies found in prior art fixtures byproviding a simply constructed, yet efficient plate receiving fixture.By placing pairs of plates between the fingers of the combs disclosedherein, several major advantages are possible. First, as later explainedin detail, the spacing between adjacent fingers of an individual combcan be increased. Second, the strength of each of the fingers also canbe increased, enabling the fingers to withstand the forces encounteredin the tube expansion manufacturing step, for example. Finally, theoverall size and weight of the fixture can be reduced substantially.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a plate receivingfixture which is adjustable to accommodate a variety of plate sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fixture which providesautomatic and proper plate spacmg.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fixture havingpositive and automatic plate locking features.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a plate receivingfixture which enables later insertion and expansion of metal tubesthrough the channels defined by the plurality of plates, withoutadditional plate positioning, once the plates are placed within thefixture following plate manufacture.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fixture which holdsa predetermined number of plates in fixed relationship.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, generallystated, a plate receiving fixture is provided having at least two combsets. Each comb set includes a plurality of combs having spaced teeth.In the preferred embodiment, two combs in each set are movablereciprocally with respect to the remaining stationary combs of the set.The comb sets in turn are adjustable laterally to accommodate a varietyof plate length sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a view inperspective of plate assembly fixture of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one comb set utilized in the fixtureillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the comb set shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, partly broken away, taken along the line 66of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a cam plate utilized in conjunctionwith the fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view about the area 9-9 of FIG. 5, and

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1,reference numeral 1 indicates the plate spacing fixture of thisinvention. Fixture 1 includes a frame 2 having a plurality of comb sets3 mounted to it. The frame 2 has a first end 4 and a second end 65 whichdelimit the boundary of the generally rectangular frame 2. Frame 2includes a front plate 5, a rear plate 6, and side plates 7, 8, 9 and10.

Front plate 5 generally is a rectangular steel plate having a top wall11 and a bottom wall 12. The side plate is mounted to the plate 5 alongthe top 11 by any convenient method. Welding, or conventional threadedbolt-type fasteners inserted into openings in the plates 10 and 5indicated generally by the numeral 60, work well. Front plate 5 has acentral opening 33 in it, and a pair of openings 90 and 91 spaced fromand on opposite sides of the opening 33 through it. The purpose and useof the openings 33, 90 and 91 are later described in detail.

The side plate 10 is a rectangular metal plate. In the embodimentillustrated, a projecting part 14 extends outwardly from a surface 61 ofthe side plate 10. Projecting part 14 is not described in detail as itsfunction is concerned with transfer of the fixture 1 between variousoperational stations not directly concerned with the invention disclosedherein. Likewise, a pair of clamp brackets 13 are mounted to the top 11of the plate 5, outboard of the side plate 10. The clamp brackets 13find application in certain operational positions of the fixture 1.While a particular design is shown for the brackets 13, other similarbrackets are compatible with the broad aspects of this invention. Thebrackets themselves form no part of the invention and are not discussedin detail.

The side plates 7 and 9 also are rectangular plates and each areattached to front plate 5 and side plate 10 at the end 4 of the frame 2and to the rear plate 6 and side plate 8 at the end 65 of the frame 2.The side plates 7 and 9 are parallel and oppositely opposed to oneanother in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The plates 8 and 10also are parallel and oppositely opposed to one another, and theircombination forms the frame 2 which in turn circumscribes an opening 22.Both of the plates 7 and 9 have a notch formed in them at each of theirrespective ends. The notch 15 enables flush mounting of the plates 7 and9 to the plates 5 and 10, and to the plates 6 and 8 at the respectiveends 4 and 65 of the frame 2, as is best seen in FIG. 6. Each of theplates 7 and 9 also have an opening 16 through them at their plate 5attaching end, the purpose of which is described in detail hereinafter.

Rear plate 6 is a rectangular plate having a top 17 and a bottom 18. Theplate 8 is mounted to the top 17 of the rear plate 6 and extendsperpendicularly upwardly therefrom. A pair of clamp brackets 19 aremounted to and extend upwardly from the top 17. The clamp brackets 19are similar to the brackets 13 discussed above. Both the brackets andthe side plate 8 may be attached to the rear plate by any convenientmethod. Either welding or conventional bolt-type fasteners work well,for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, it will be observed that the frontplate 5 has a cam actuator 34 extendingthrough the opening 33 which isoperatively connected to a bar 35. The cam actuator 34 also isoperatively connected to a drive cylinder 62 by a drive means 63. Drivemeans 63, in effect, is a connector having a first end and a second end80. The end 70 of drive means 63 has an open mouth channel 64 in it,which engages the cam actuator 34 in the operation of the fixture 1. Theend of drive means 63 is attached to a piston rod 81 of the cylinder 62.The drive means 63 is free to move reciprocally in response to motionimparted by the cylinder 62 along ways 71, shown partly broken away inFIG. 5. Ways 71 are conventional and are not described in detail. Theyare utilized merely to insure left-right travel, with reference to FIG.5 of drive means 63.

The connection between the cam actuator 34 and the bar 35 may comprise avariety of conventional connectors. In the preferred embodiment, theactuator 34 is attached to the bar 35 by any convenient method andextends through the opening 33. Motion is imparted as describedhereinafter. Bar 35 is rectangular in plan having an upper surface 36, alower surface 37, a first side 38 and a second side 57. The actuator 34is attached along the surface 37 side of the bar 35. The bar 35 has aplurality of openings 72 in it which are important in mounting the bar35 to the front plate 5. In the embodiment illustrated, the bar 35 hasfour of the openings 72 through it.

A first cam plate 23 is mounted to front plate 5 over the opening 91 inthe plate 5. A second cam plate 24 is mounted to the front plate 5 overthe opening in the front plate 5, as is best seen in FIG. 5. The camplates 23 and 24 are identical and only a single illustrativee cam plate23 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and discussed in detail. Referring now tothese Figures, and also to FIGS. 9 and 10, it is observed that cam plate23 is a rectangular plate having a front 25, a back 26, a first side 27,and a second side 28, a top 83 and a bottom 86. The plate 23 has a pairof mounting openings 66 through it, along each end of the plate 23,which are utilized to attach the plate 23 to the front plate 5.Attachment may be made by any convenient method. Conventional threadedfasteners work well. When threaded fasteners are utilized, the opening66 may have complimentary threads along their internal surfaces. Camplate 23 also has two irregular shaped openings 29 and 30 though it,which in turn define cam surfaces 31 and 32 respectively.

A cam follower 39 is mounted through an opening 72 of the bar 35, alongeach end of the bar 35. The follower 39 includes a threaded shankportion 55 and a follower portion 56. The follower portion 56 rideswithin one of the openings 29 and 30 in the cam plate 23. In theembodiment illustrated, the follower 56 is positioned in the opening 30,however, either opening may be utilized. The shank portion 55 of the camfollower 39 extends above the upper surface 36 of the bar 35 and issecured along that surface by a conventional hexagonal nut fastener 58.A shoulder bolt 85 also is mounted to the bar 35 through an opening 72in the bar 35.

Shoulder bolt 85 includes a head 86, a follower por tion 87 and a shankportion 88. The shank 88 is threaded for intermounting withcomplimentary threads in the opening 72 of the bar 35. The follower 85rides within the opening 29 of cam plate 23. The head 86 projects beyondthe back 26 of cam plate 23,

with the opening 91, and is sized radially so as to maintain bar 35 insliding contact with the cam plate 23. The attachment of the bar 35along the opening 90 cam plate 24 end of the bar is similar to that justdescribed. It will be apparent that the follower 39, lock nut 85location with respect to the openings 29 and in the cam plates 23 and 24may be reversed, if desired.

It may be observed, particularly by reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8,that motion of cam actuator 34 is transformed by the interaction of thecam follower 39 and the openings 29 and 30 in the cam plates 23 and 24into a multi-directional movement. That movement, referenced to FIG. 5,includes a motion component that moves the bar upwardly or downwardlyand a motion component that moves the bar 35 left or right, whichmovement is controlled by the slope of the open ings 29 and 30. Aspreviously indicated, the side plates 7 and 9 have an opening 16 in themalong that end of the side plates 7 and 9 joining the plate 10. Theopenings 16 are provided to enable the bar 35 to move full scale alongthe cam surfaces 31 and 32. Other embodiments of my invention,particularly those permitting increased fixture 1 sizes, may eliminatethe use of the opening 16.

While the shoulder bolt 85 primarily functions to prevent the bar 35from raising upwardly away from the cam plates 23 and 24, the followerportion 87 also can act as a cam follower, similar to the followerportion 56 of the cam follower 39, during movement of bar 35.

Side 38 of bar 35 is utilized to engage a portion of the comb set 3 asdescribed hereinafter. This use tends to cause wear of the bar 35 alongthe engaging portion. A hardened metal plate, not shown, may be attachedto the side 38 of the bar 35 in order to give long life characteristicsto the bar-plate combination. Thereafter the plate may be replaced whenrequired by wear without necessitating replacement of the bar 35.

The comb set 3 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. As there shown,the preferred embodiment of the comb set 3 includes a pair of movablecombs 40 and a plurality of stationary combs generally indicated by thenumeral 41. A pair of the stationary combs 41 are mounted on either sideof a spacer 42. Two of the comb 41-spacer 42 combinations are placedadjacent one another and supported on a backbone structure 43, along thecentral part of the structure 43. The comb 41- spacer 42 combinationsare attached to the structure 43 by any convenient method. For example,the combs 41 may be placed on each side of the spacer 42 and two ofthese combinations may be attached to the structure 43. Conventionalscrew type fasteners work well for this attachment.

The backbone structure 43 of the combs set 3 is a rectangular metalplate having a first end 44 and a second end 45. The end 44 of backbonestructure 43 is intended for mounting on the front plate 5 end of theframe 2. A pair of threaded mounted openings 46 is provided in thestructure 43 to permit structure 43 attachment to the front plate 5.Conventional screw type fasteners work well for this attachment. Endlikewise has a pair of threaded mounted openings 47 which is used toattach the end 45 of structure 43 to the rear plate 6. In the embodimentillustrated, the backbone structure 43 runs the entire length of thecomb set 3.

The backbone structure 43 has a series of channels 48 formed in it. Thechannels 48 are utilized to accommodate a bridge member 49. Bridgemember 49 is U shaped in side elevation. Each of the members 49 has apair of oppositely opposed, inwardly turned faces 68 along the openmouth of the U-shape, as is best seen in FIG. 4. The movable combs 40are mounted to the bridge member 49 along the face 68 of the members 49.Each bridge member 49 inturn is slidably mounted to the backbonestructure 43 by any convenient method. For example, it is convenient toprovide at least one cylindrical pin in the channel 48 parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the structure 43. Openings are provided in thebridge members 49 which receive the cylindrical pins in a free, slipfit. The interaction of the pins and bridge members 49 permit themembers 49 to move reciprocally along the pins in response to imposedforce stimuli.

Mounted internally of the channels 48, opposite the pins on which thebridge members 49 ride, are a plurality of springs 50, shown in phantomlines in FIG. 3. The springs 50 are operatively connected to the bridgemembers 49 and are biased to urge the bridge members 49 in a firstdirection of movement. That is, each spring 50 is mounted within thechannel 48 so as to exert a force in a first direction, which force isparallel to the longitudinal axis of the backbone structure 43. Thenumber of springs 50 utilized in an individual comb set 3 and theirplacement in the comb set 3 may vary with embodiments of my invention.In the embodiment illustrated, a pair of springs 50 are arrangedparallelwise at each end of the comb set 3 and are adapted to urge themovable comgs 40 toward the left, as the comb set 3 is viewed in FIGS. 2and 3.

Each of the combs 41 are constructed identically. They are metal frameshaving a plurality of spaced teeth 51 formed in them. The movable combs40 also are constructed identically and include metal frames having aplurality of spaced teeth, also indicated by the reference numeral 51,formed in them. The stationary combs 41 and the movable combs 40 arealigned in at least one relative position so as to define a plurality ofgrooves 52 which traverse the comb set 3, as best observed in FIG. 2.The major difference between the combs 40 and the combs 41 is that themovable combs 40 each have protrusions 53 extending outwardly from them.The protrusions 53 inturn each have a roller 54 rotatably mounted tothem, clevis fashion. The rollers 54 abut side 38 of the bar 35 when thecomb set '3 is mounted within the frame 2.

The fixture l is extremely simple to use in the manufacturing process.For example, in the cell plate operation described above, each of apredetermined number of the comb sets 3 is placed within the opening 22of the frame 2 and each is secured to the front and rear plates 5 and 6respectively. A hole pattern 69 is provided in the plates 5 and 6,enabling the combs 3 to be mounted adjustably in a plurality of lateralpositions for accommodating a plurality of plate sizes. The fixture l isthen placed in an operating station for receiving the plates whicheventually form the cell. Bar 35 is actuated by the cam actuator 34,which action drives the bar 35, and in particular the follower 39, to alower position along the surfaces 31 and 32 of the cam plates 23 and 24,the lower position 75 being taken with reference to FIG. 7. This actiondrives the bar 35 towards the rear plate 6 in the transitional motiondescribed above. The operational engagement of side 38 and the rollers54 likewise force the movable blades 40 toward the rear of the plate 6,bringing the blades 40 into alignment with the stationary blades 41, inturn opening the grooves 52 and compressing the spring 50. In this openposition of the fixture 1, plates may be inserted in the grooves 52. Itis convenient to insert two plates between each of the teeth 51. Thepurpose of dual plate placement is explained below. However, singleplates may be inserted in the teeth 51, if desired. The plates, as willbe understood by those skilled in the art, are manufactured identicallyand each plate has a predetermined hole pattern punched in it. Alternateplates are rotated with respect to the immediately preceding plate inthe cell so that a channel through a plate series is provided,comprising alternate large and small diameter openings. After apredetermined number of plates are inserted in the grooves 52, the bar35 is moved by the cam actuator 34, in response to the drive means 63 sothat the followers 39 move to an upper position 76 of the surfaces 31and 32. It may be observed, by reference to FIGS. and 6, that thismotion moves the bar 35 toward the front plate 5. Movement of the bar 35permits the movable combs 40 to shift towards the front plate 5, whichmovement is aided by the action of the springs 50 acting on the combs40. Movement of the combs 40 disaligns the grooves 52 and locks theplates between the movable combs 40 and the stationary combs 41.Thereafter, all later constructional steps necessary to form theparallel plates and metal tubes into an assembly may be performed,without removing the plates from the fixture 1. For example, the metaltubes may be inserted through the channels in the plates and expanded.As previously described, expansion is all that is required to attach thetubes and the plates. Since the plates have alternate sized holepatterns in them, each tube will engage an alternate plate. Afterexpansion the now integral unit may be removed from the fixture l byreturning the bar 35, again by the action of the actuator 34, so thatthe followers 39 are driven to the lower position 75 of the surfaces 31and 32, bringing the grooves 52 in alignment. Thereafter, the nowintegral plate-tube combination can be removed by any convenient method.

As indicated above, preferably two plates are placed in each of thegrooves 52. Dual plate placement enables the fixture 1 to be smaller inits overall dimensions that would be the case where a single plate isplaced in each groove. In addition, teeth 51 of the combs 40 and 41 canbe enlarged so that they are able to withstand expansion forces in theremaining operational steps of cell construction.

Proper spacing between plates is accomplished after tube insertion andexpansion. That is, the metal tubes are inserted and expanded and theintegral cell unit is removed from the fixture l. Thereafter, the endsof the tubes are adjusted. Since the plates are attached only to certainof the tubes, adjustment of the tube ends automatically gives properplate spacing.

Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will occurto those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure andaccompanying drawings. Thus, the comb sets 3 may be varied. For example,the stationary combs 41 may be placed on the outside of the comb set 3while the movable combs 40 are positioned along the center of thebackbone structure 43. Likewise, while the stationary comb 4l-spacer 42combinations were described as separate units, they may be constructedintegrally. l find it convenient to construct combs 40 and combs 41alike, thereafter making modifications in the combs 40 required fortheir operation. However, each of the combs 40 and 41 may bemanufactured initially with their various differences. Although thepreferred embodiment described above has the combs 40 and 41 grouped insets, other embodiments of the fixture 1 may eliminate the sets, havingthe individual combs attached to the front and rear plates individually,for example. The shape or aesthetic design of the fixture 1 may bevaried. For example, a stylized enclosure may be provided about theframe 2 to enhance its appearance. These variations are merelyillustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

l. A fixture for holding a multiplicity of spaced, parallel platescomprising:

a frame;

at least two comb sets mounted to said frame, each of said comb setsincluding a plurality of combs at least one of which is movably mountedwith respect to the remaining combs of said set, said comb sets beingparallel and spaced apart along said frame, the combs within each combset being aligned in at least one of two positions during operation ofthe fixture, said aligned position permitting insertion of said platesin said fixture;

means for moving each of the movable combs of said comb setssimultaneously between at least a first position and a second position,the movable combs of each of said comb sets being aligned with theremaining combs of each set in one of said first and said secondpositions and disaligned with respect to the remaining combs of each setin the other of said first and said second positions, said moving meansbeing carried by said frame; and

means for biasing the movable comb of said comb set toward saiddisaligned position, said biasing means being carried by said comb set.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein each of said combs of said comb setcomprises a base strip and a plurality of spaced teeth extendingupwardly from said base strip.

3. The fixture of claim 2 wherein said movable comb of said set isfurther characterized by a roller mounted to said base strip on at leastone end of said base strip.

4. The fixture of claim 2 wherein each of said comb sets comprises:

a back structure;

a first comb mounted to said back structure;

a second comb mounted to said structure; and

means for operatively connecting said first comb to said back structureso that said first comb may be moved reciprocally with respect to saidsecond comb.

5. The fixture of claim 4 wherein said means for operatively connectingsaid first comb to said back structure includes a bridge memberreciprocally mounted to said back structure, said first comb beingmounted to said bridge structure.

6. The fixture of claim 5 wherein said biasing means comprises a springbiased between said bridge member and said back structure.

7. The fixture of claim 6 wherein said frame has a first and a secondend, and said comb sets are mounted to said frame between said first andsaid second ends,

said frame having a plurality of openings in it along said first andsaid second ends permitting a plurality of mounting positions for saidcomb sets.

8. A comb set, comprising:

a back structure;

a first comb mounted to said back structure, said comb having aplurality of spaced teeth defining grooves therebetween;

a second comb mounted to said back structure, said comb having aplurality of spaced teeth defining grooves therebetween;

means for movably mounting said first comb with respect to said secondcomb between a first position having the grooves of said combs alignedand a second position having the grooves of said combs disaligned; and

means for biasing said first comb toward said second position, saidbiasing means being carried by said comb set.

9. The comb set of claim 1 wherein said back structure is generallyrectangular in plan, said mounting means comprises a bridge membermounted to said back structure outboard of three peripheral dimensionsof said back structure, and said biasing means comprises a spring biasedto urge said bridge structure in a first direction, said movable combbeing mounted to said bridge structure for movement therewith.

10. A plate receiving and spacing fixture, comprising:

a frame;

means for receiving a plurality of plates mounted to said frame, saidreceiving means comprising at least two comb sets mounted to said framein spaced relationship to one another, each of said comb sets includinga plurality of combs, said combs having a multiplicity of spaced teethdefining slots therebetween, at least one of said combs being movablymounted with respect to the remaining combs of said set, said combsdefining a plurality of aligned grooves traversing said frame in a firstposition of said combs;

means for moving said movable combs of said comb sets between a seconddisaligned position and said first aligned position, said last mentionedmeans being carried by said frame; and

means for biasing the movable combs of said comb sets toward thedisaligned position.

11. A fixture for releasably holding an article, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of individual combs mounted to said frame, each of saidcombs having a plurality of spaced teeth defining slots therebetween,said comb plurality including a first comb movable in relationship to asecond comb in said mounted position of said comb plurality, each ofsaid combs being arranged parallel to and spaced from one another sothat said teeth define a plurality of grooves extending across saidframe in an aligned position of said combs, each of said grooves beingdesigned for receiving an article;

means for moving said movable combs into said aligned position from adisaligned position, said last mentioned means being carried by saidframe; and

means for biasing said movable comb toward said disaligned position ofsaid comb.

12. The fixture of claim 11 wherein said comb plurality is arranged incomb sets, at least two comb sets being mounted to said frame, each ofsaid comb sets including a plurality of combs at least one of which ismovably mounted with respect to the remaining combs of said set, saidmovably mounted comb being operatively connected to said moving means.

13. The fixture of claim 12 wherein at least one of said comb sets ismovable laterally with respect to the other of said comb sets.

14. The fixture of claim 11 wherein said frame includes a front plateand a rear plate, said combs being mounted to said fixtures between saidfront plate and said rear plate. D

15. The fixture of claim 11 wherein said moving means comprises anactuator bar removably mounted to said front plate.

16. The fixture of claim 15 further characterized by a first cam plateand a second cam plate mounted between said actuator bar and said frontplate.

17. The fixture of claim 16 wherein each of said cam plates have a pairof irregular shaped openings in them, said openings defining a firstposition and a second position for said actuator bar with respect tosaid front plate.

18. The fixture of claim 16 wherein said front plate has a centralopening in it and said actuator bar includes a cam follower mounted tosaid bar on a first end of said actuator, said actuator having a secondend extending through said central opening.

19. The fixture of claim 18 wherein said front plate and said rear platehave a plurality of openings defining a plurality of lateral positionsfor said comb sets.

20. A plate spacing fixture for holding and spacing a multiplicity ofplates, comprising:

a supporting structure;

means mounted to said supporting structure for releasably holding aplurality of plates, said holding means including at least a first partand a second part movable relatively to one another so as to define analigned first plate receiving position and a second disaligned plateholding position;

first means for placing said holding means in said first plate receivingposition, said first means including an actuator operatively connectedto said holding means and adapted to drive the movable ones of saidfirst and said second parts of said holding means from said seconddisaligned plate holding position to said first plate receivingposition; and

second means for placing said holding means in said second disalignedposition upon deactivation of said first placing means, said secondplacing means including biasing means for maintaining said holding meansin said second disaligned position under the influence of said secondplacing means until reactivation of said first placing means.

21. The fixture of claim 20 wherein said holding means comprises atleast one comb set, said comb set including:

a back structure;

a bridge member movably mounted to said back structure, said bridgemember traversing the width of said back structure;

a pair of combs mounted to said bridge member and movable therewith; and

at least one stationary comb mounted to said back structure intermediatesaid movable comb pair.

22. The fixture of claim 2 wherein said holding means 23. The fixture ofclaim 21 wherein said second placcomprises at least two of said combsets, at least one of ing means comprises a spring biased between thesaid comb sets being adjustably mounted to said supbridge member and theback structure of said comb set.

porting structure.

1. A fixture for holding a multiplicity of spaced, parallel platescomprising: a frame; at least two comb sets mounted to said frame, eachof said comb sets including a plurality of combs at least one of whichis movably mounted with respect to the remaining combs of said set, saidcomb sets being parallel and spaced apart along said frame, the combswithin each comb set being aligned in at least one of two positionsduring operation of the fixture, said aligned position permittinginsertion of said plates in said fixture; means for moving each of themovable combs of said comb sets simultaneously between at least a firstposition and a second position, the movable combs of each of said combsets being aligned with the remaining combs of each set in one of saidfirst and said second positions and disaligned with respect to theremaining combs of each set in the other of said first and said secondpositions, said moving means being carried by said frame; and means forbiasing the movable comb of said comb set toward said disalignedposition, said biasing means being carried by said comb set.
 2. Thefixture of claim 1 wherein each of said combs of said comb set comprisesa base strip and a plurality of spaced teeth extending upwardly fromsaid base strip.
 3. The fixture of claim 2 wherein said movable comb ofsaid set is further characterized by a roller mounted to said base stripon at least one end of said base strip.
 4. The fixture of claim 2wherein each of said comb sets comprises: a back structure; a first combmounted to said back structure; a second comb mounted to said structure;and means for operatively connecting said first comb to said backstructure so that said first comb may be moved reciprocally with respectto said second comb.
 5. The fixture of claim 4 wherein said means foroperatively connecting said first comb to said back structure includes abridge member reciprocally mounted to said back structure, said firstcomb being mounted to said bridge structure.
 6. The fixture of claim 5wherein said biasing means comprises a spring biased between said bridgemember and said back structure.
 7. The fixture of claim 6 wherein saidframe has a first and a second end, and said comb sets are mounted tosaid frame between said first and said second ends, said frame having aplurality of openings in it along said first and said second endspermitting a plurality of mounting positions for said comb sets.
 8. Acomb set, comprising: a back structure; a first comb mounted to saidback structure, said comb having a plurality of spaced teeth defininggrooves therebetween; a second comb mounted to said back structure, saidcomb having a plurality of spaced teeth defining grooves therebetween;means for movably mounting said first comb with respect to said secondcomb between a first position having the grooves of said combs alignedand a second position having the grooves of said combs disaligned; andmeans for biasing said first comb toward said second position, saidbiasing means being carried by said comb set.
 9. The comb set of claim 1wherein said back structure is generally rectangular in plan, saidmounting means comprises a bridge member mounted to said back structureoutboard of three peripheral dimensions of said back structure, and saidbiasing means comprises a spring biased to urge said bridge structure ina first direction, said movable comb being mounted to said bridgestructure for movement therewith.
 10. A plate receiving and spacingfixture, comprising: a frame; means for receiving a plurality of platesmounted to said frame, said receiving means comprising at least two combsets mounted to said frame in spaced relationship to one another, eachof said comb sets including a plurality of combs, said combs having amultiplicity of spaced teeth defining slots therebetween, at least oneof said combs being movably mounted with respect to the remaining combsof said set, said combs defining a plurality of aligned groovestraversing said frame in a first position of said combs; means formoving said movable combs of said comb sets between a second disalignedposition and said first aligned position, said last mentioned meansbeing carried by said frame; and means for biasing the movable combs ofsaid comb sets toward the disaligned position.
 11. A fixture forreleasably holding an article, comprising: a frame having a first endand a second end; a plurality of individual combs mounted to said frame,each of said combs having a plurality of spaced teeth defining slotstherebetween, said comb plurality including a first comb movable inrelationship to a second comb in said mounted position of said combplurality, each of said combs being arranged parallel to and spaced fromone another so that said teeth define a plurality of grooves extendingacross said frame in an aligned position of said combs, each of saidgrooves being designed for receiving an article; means for moving saidmovable combs into said aligned position from a disaligned position,said last mentioned means being carried by said frame; and means forbiasing said movable comb toward said disaligned position of said comb.12. The fixture of claim 11 wherein said comb plurality is arranged incomb sets, at least two comb sets being mounted to said frame, each ofsaid comb sets including a plurality of combs at least one of which ismovably mounted with respect to the remaining combs of said set, saidmovably mounted comb being operatively connected to said moving means.13. The fixture of claim 12 wherein at least one of said comb sets ismovable laterally with respect to the other of said comb sets.
 14. Thefixture of claim 11 wherein said frame includes a front plate and a rearplate, said combs being mounted to said fixtures between said frontplate and said rear plate.
 15. THe fixture of claim 11 wherein saidmoving means comprises an actuator bar removably mounted to said frontplate.
 16. The fixture of claim 15 further characterized by a first camplate and a second cam plate mounted between said actuator bar and saidfront plate.
 17. The fixture of claim 16 wherein each of said cam plateshave a pair of irregular shaped openings in them, said openings defininga first position and a second position for said actuator bar withrespect to said front plate.
 18. The fixture of claim 16 wherein saidfront plate has a central opening in it and said actuator bar includes acam follower mounted to said bar on a first end of said actuator, saidactuator having a second end extending through said central opening. 19.The fixture of claim 18 wherein said front plate and said rear platehave a plurality of openings defining a plurality of lateral positionsfor said comb sets.
 20. A plate spacing fixture for holding and spacinga multiplicity of plates, comprising: a supporting structure; meansmounted to said supporting structure for releasably holding a pluralityof plates, said holding means including at least a first part and asecond part movable relatively to one another so as to define an alignedfirst plate receiving position and a second disaligned plate holdingposition; first means for placing said holding means in said first platereceiving position, said first means including an actuator operativelyconnected to said holding means and adapted to drive the movable ones ofsaid first and said second parts of said holding means from said seconddisaligned plate holding position to said first plate receivingposition; and second means for placing said holding means in said seconddisaligned position upon deactivation of said first placing means, saidsecond placing means including biasing means for maintaining saidholding means in said second disaligned position under the influence ofsaid second placing means until reactivation of said first placingmeans.
 21. The fixture of claim 20 wherein said holding means comprisesat least one comb set, said comb set including: a back structure; abridge member movably mounted to said back structure, said bridge membertraversing the width of said back structure; a pair of combs mounted tosaid bridge member and movable therewith; and at least one stationarycomb mounted to said back structure intermediate said movable comb pair.22. The fixture of claim 2 wherein said holding means comprises at leasttwo of said comb sets, at least one of said comb sets being adjustablymounted to said supporting structure.
 23. The fixture of claim 21wherein said second placing means comprises a spring biased between thebridge member and the back structure of said comb set.